Our sincere thanks to Michael Sinclair-Jones for permission to use his photograph of the SIEV-X memorial stones as the tile image for the Australian Border Deaths Database.

Date

No. deaths

Personal Details

Incident Details

Death in Immigration Custody

25-Jan-2019

1

Musa, Sierra Leonean male

Musa was found deceased in Villawood Detention Centre.

Onshore immigration detention

6- Sept-2018

1

Saruuan Aljhelie, 22 year old, Iraqi male

Saruuan died in hospital after attempting to take his own life at Yongah Hill immigration detention centre in Western Australia.

Onshore immigration detention

29-Aug-2018

1

Tamil, male

The Tamil asylum seeker died in hospital in Brisbane after he attempted to take his own life in hospital whilst being treated for depression. The man had recently had his protection claim rejected by the Australian government.

15-June-2018

1

Fariborz Karami, 26 year old, Iranian male

Karami killed himself in RPC3 camp within the Australian-run regional processing centre on Nauru after suffering from years of deteriorating mental health.

Offshore immigration detention

22-May-2018

1

Salim, 52 year old, Rohingya, male

Salim died on Manus Island from a supposed suicide attempt. He jumped from a moving vehicle that was traveling from refugee accomodation to town. He suffered serious head injuries and died at the scene. Salim had been on Manus Island for five years and had a long history of mental illness.

Offshore immigration detention

2-Nov-2017

1

Jahingir, 29 year old, Bangladeshi man

The man died after the motorbike he was travelling on collided with another vehicle. Reports from sources reveal the man was run down on his motorbike on Fly Camp Rd, Nauru by a carload of Nauruans. It was understood that there were no witnesses to the incident. The driver of the car, a Nauruan man,
has been charged over the incident.

Offshore immigration detention

2-Oct-2017

1

Rajeev Rajendran, 32 year old, Sri Lankan Tamil, male

Suspected suicide, found on the grounds of the Lorengau hospital, Manus Island.

Offshore immigration detention

7-Aug-17

1

Hamed Shamshiripour, 31 years old, Iranian, male

Hamed was found dead in the forest near the Australian-run East Lorengau refugee transit centre on Manus Island. PNG police have said that the cause of his death was suicide, however his family have demanded an autopsy and inquest to determine the cause of death. Hamed was known to have suffered from
acute and worsening mental health issues.

Majid was found dead in the house he was minding in Sydney from a suspected drug overdose. Majid was released from detention in December 2015 but was not offered adequate support. His psychological deterioration was profound.

7-June-17

1

Matthew Taylor, New Zealander, male

Matthew committed suicide in New Zealand, a year and a half after his deportation under s501 of the Migration Act. He was in a desperate situation in New Zealand with limited support and ties to the country following his return. He moved to Australia with his family as a toddler and had never left
Sydney until his deportation following his prison sentence for a string of minor offences. He has a young child in Sydney and his immediate family still live there.

24-Dec-16

1

Faysal Ishak Ahmed, 27 years old, Sudanese, male

Faysal died followig transfer to Brisbane hospital from Manus Island immigration detention centre following a fall and a seizure within the centre, resulting in head injuries. He had been unwell for some months in the lead up to his death.

Offshore immigration detention

20-Nov-16

1

Fereshteh, 38 years old, Iranian, woman

Fereshteh was living in the community in Perth on a bridging visa. The mother of a two year old son, she threw herself from the sixth floor balcony of her home.

2-Aug-16

1

Kamil Hussain, 34 year old, Pakistani man

Drowned whilst swimming at a waterfall on Manus Island during a day trip from the immigration detention centre.

Offshore immigration detention

00-Aug-16

1

Saeed Hassanloo, 27 years old, Iranian, male

Died in Hobart where he was living in the community on a SHEV visa. The nature and cause of his death is not known. The exact date of his death is not known, although it occurred in August.

17-Jul-16

1

Deepak Singh, mid-30s, Indian, male

Suspected suicide. Found dead in his car in Melbourne with links to potential stress over Permanent Residency visa application which had been rejected by DIBP and by Migration Review Tribunal.

00-Jun-16

1

Mohammad Hadi, 23 years old, Hazara, male

Hadi was living in the community in Sydney on a Bridging Visa. He hanged himself, a suspected suicide as a result of mental health issues from time spent in detention and uncertainty surrounding visa status. His body was discovered in a Sydney park by a passing jogger. Exact date of death unknown.

11-May-16

1

Rakib Khan, 26 year old, Bangladeshi man

The Bangladeshi man checked himself into hospital on Nauru following a suspected suicide attempt reportedly from a pharmaceutical drug overdose. He suffered a series of heart failures and died.

Offshore immigration detention

29-Apr-16

1

Omid Masoumali, 23 year old Iranian man

Omid died from serious burns injuries in a Brisbane hospital after setting himself on fire in the Nauru Nibok settlement, outside a refugee compound, during a UN monitoring visit. The admistering of painkillers was delayed. He suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital where doctors had to perform
emergency surgery. His wife believes delays to his transfer to Brisbane hospital from Nauru (22 hours) may have contributed to his death. Nauru hospital unequipped to deal with his injuries.

Offshore immigration detention

4-Apr-16

1

Robert Peihopa, New Zealander, 42 years old

Robert died of a suspected heart attack in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Attempts were made to resuscitate him by staff. On the 28 November 2017, the NSW coroner reported that Mr Peihopa died of an "Underlying chronic coronary artery disease and triggers of ingestion of methamphetamine in
the hours before Mr Peihopa’s death and the physical and emotional distress arising from his involvement in a fight immediately prior to his death."

Onshore immigration detention

00-Apr-16

1

Mohammad Nazari, 35 years old, Hazara, male

Mohammad Nazari was living in the community in Sydney on a Bridging Visa. He hanged himself on a construction site, a suspected suicide as a result of mental health issues from time spent in detention and uncertainty surrounding visa status. Exact date of death unknown.

8-Nov-15

1

Fazal Chegani, Iranian Kurd, Male, early 30s

Fazal had been in detention for five years and had a history of attempting suicide and mental health problems. He was found dead under suspicious circumstances on Christmas Island after escaping from the immigration detention centre. He had made a previous attempt to take his life by jumping from the
roof of another detention centre before being sent to Christmas Island in recent months.

Offshore immigration detention centre

27-Oct-15

1

Reza, Iranian man, 26 years old

The man suicided at Brisbane airport after months of suffering from depression and despair. He was living in the community on a bridging visa.

18-Oct-15

1

Khodayar Amini, 30 years old, Hazara Afghan man.

Khodayar Amini died from self immolation in Dandenong out of fear of being returned to immigration detention and then to Afghanistan where he believed he would be kllled. Mr Amini was living in the community in Australia on a bridging visa and had been contacted by Australian immigration staff who
wanted to interview him.

17-Sep-15

1

Ali Jaffari, Hazara man

Jaffari self imolated two days earlier, suffering burns to 90% of his body. He died in Fiona Stanley hospital Perth. Jaffari had previously been on suicide watch in Yongah Hills immigration detention centre, WA, following previous attempts on his life.

Onshore immigration detention

14-Sep-15

1

Junior Togatuki, 23 years old, New Zealand man

Mr Togatuki died in Goulburn’s Supermax Prison in NSW whilst awaiting deportation at the completion of his prison sentence for armed robbery (S501). He was being held in solitary confinement and his death has been ruled as a suicide. The NSW Coroner reported on 13 July 2018 that Mr Togatuki's cause
of death was massive blood loss caused by incised wounds of left upper extremity.

In custody – prison

31-Jul-15

1

Mohammad Nasim Najafi, 27 years old, Afghan man

Mr Nasim died of a suspected heart attack in Yongah Hill Detention Centre, Western Australia amongst claims he had been denied medical treatment for two weeks.

Onshore immigration detention

17-Jun-15

1

Raza, Afghan (Hazara), man

Raza was on a bridging visa. He committed suicide in Perth by jumping in front of a train the day after being interviewed by police. His mental health had deteriorated after being on a bridging visa.

mid-2015

1

Hazara, male

The man committed suicide on Perth.

13-Mar-15

1

Omid Ali Avaz, 29 years old, Iranian man of Kurdish ethnicity

Mr Avaz is believed to have taken his own life in Brisbane following a history of mental illness since learning of the death of his mother. Mr Avaz was on a 449 Humanitarian Stay Temporary Visa for a period of 12 months in February and it is believed that he had concerns about his refugee status.

17-Nov-14

1

John McFerrier, Zimbabwean, 51 years old, male

Died in Liverpool Hospital NSW where he was transferred from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. The Coroner ruled that Mr McFerrier died of natural causes as a result of a heart attack triggered by pneumonia and organ failure where morbid obescity was a contributing factor to his death.

Onshore immigration detention centre

5-Sep-14

1

Hamid Kehazaei, 24 years old, Iranian man

Kehazaei had been admitted to Mater Hospital, Brisbane from Manus Island where he had developed septicaemia from a cut on his foot. Once transferred to Port Moresby he suffered a heart attack. He finally was airlifted to hospital on the mainland of Australia where he became gravely ill and was placed
on life support. He was declared brain dead earlier in the week before the decision was made to turn off his life support.

Offshore immigration detention centre

22-Jun-14

1

Sayed Ibrahim Hussein, Pakistani man

Hussein drowned while swimming in the Galab Channel. He was caught in a rip. A Nauruan man also dorwned following an attempt to save Hussein.

Offshore immigration detention centre

1-Jun-14

1

Leo Seemanpillai, 29 years old, Sri Lankan man

Leo Semmanpillai died as a result of self immolation, suffering burns to 90% of his body. He had been living in community detention on a bridging visa awaiting the outcome of his refugee claim.

17-Feb-14

1

Reza Barati, 24 years old, Iranian man

Reza Barati died of head injuries on the way to Lorengau hospital in PNG following protests at the Manus Island Immigration Detention Centre. Violence resulted in the injury of 77 others, 12 seriously. It is understood that at least 2 secuirty guards were involved in the altercation during the riots
of 2014, they were later convicted of Barati's murder. The riot prompted a senate inquiry which concluded that the Australian Government had failed to protect asylum seekers.

Offshore immigration detention centre

13-Feb-14

1

Indian man, 27 years old

The man hung himself in Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre. He had been detained since January 2014 for overstaying his student visa. Victorian Police are investigating his death.

Onshore immigration detention centre

5-Feb-14

1

Rezene Mebrahta Engeda, 30 year old, Eritrean man

Rezene Mebrahta Engeda drowned himself in the Maribyrnong River, Victoria upon notice of a failed asylum application and letter to attend a meeting with DIBP where he assumed he would be told of his pending deportation to Eritrea.

9-Dec-13

3

Iranian and ethnic Rohingya

The boat, carrying 30 asylum seekers, sank off the coast of Java, bound for Australia. Three deaths including one two year old child.

12-Oct-13

1

Qasem Abdalla, 63 years old, Somalian, male

Mr Abdalla died in Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, as a result of heart failure following medical transfer from immigration detention on Christmas Island. His death was ruled a death in custody by the coroner.

Offshore immigration detention centre.

Death in custody ruled by coroner – transferred for medical treatment from Christmas Island.

27-Sep-13

36

Lebanese, Iranian, Iraqi & Africans, reportedly mostly children under 15 who drowned because they could not swim. 8 children known to have drowned and one pregnant woman.

The boat sank off Java enroute to Australia. 36 people are confirmed drowned including a number of children. News reports say the death toll may rise to 70. 25 rescued. Reports of between 63-125 on board.

Boat capsized off Java coast enroute to Australia. 189 rescued by Indonesian authorities with approximately 40 children. 10 known fatalities including children. Majority of passengers reported to be Iranian and Iraqi with others from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

22-Jul-13

1

Hock An Ong, Malaysian, 58 years old, male

Mr Ong died at Amaroo Orchards, Paringa, South Australia following a workplace raid on the orchard by SA Police and immigration authorities. He fled the authorities and suddenly collapsed, dying at the scene. He was unlawfully residing and working in Australia at the time. The Coroner ruled his death
as a death in custody.

Death during pursuit by Department of Immigration Compliance Officers and police.

22-Jul-13

1

Ramaiah Mahenthiran, 50 years old, Sri Lankan, male

Died in Curtin Immigration Detention Centre, WA. Mr Mahenthiran arrived by boat to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands two and a half months earlier on SIEV 689 and was first held on Christmas Island Immigration Detention, before being transferred to Curtin Immigration Detention Centre. He died from a heart
attack.

Onshore immigration detention centre

16-Jul-13

4

2 women aged late 20s/early 30s, 1 man in his 20s and 1 man in his 30s.

Drowned after boat was intercepted by Australian customs who responded to its distress signal as boat was capsizing off the coast of Christmas Island in rough seas. 144 on board.

Interdiction at sea by Australian border control

12-Jul-13

9

Baby, under 1 year old, boy, 8 missing presumed dead

Boat carrying 97 asylum seekers sank north of Christmas Island. The body of a boy less than a year old was recovered by Australian search and rescue teams. 8 people are still missing, presumed drowned. The search has been called off, survivors taken to Christmas Island.

Interdiction at sea by Australian border control

20-Jun-13

1

Ali Ahmad Jafari, 26 yr old, Hazara, male

Collapsed and died in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Unsuccessful efforts made to revive him. DIAC statement says Jafari died of natural causes.

Onshore immigration detention centre

16-Jun-13

1

Unknown woman

Woman found dead on board asylum seeker boat carrying 60 people intercepted by Australian Customs and Border Patrol off Christmas Island. Circumstances surrounding her death are currently unknown.

Interdiction at sea by Australian border control

15-Jun-13

1

Afghan, male, 62 years

Died in the Wickham Point detention centre near Darwin, after staff found him unconscious. NT police are investigating his death.

Onshore immigration detention centre

9-Jun-13

34

Sri Lankans

The Sri Lakan boat ‘Jayawe’ went missing NW of the Cocos Islands despite a 3-day search and rescue operation conducted by AMSA. All on board presumed drowned.

7-Jun-13

55

Unknown, Afghans, mostly men, small number of women and children on board.

An estimated 55 people have drowned after their boat sank off Christmas Island, travelling from Indonesia. Australian Customs and Border Protection made the decision not to retrieve the bodies in favour of attending to other asylum seeker boat arrivals in the area. 13 bodies have since been recovered
from the water near Christmas Island. The recovery effort will not continue.

1-Jun-13

1

Unknown, male, 52 years

The 52-year-old man was transferred from the processing area at Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre to hospital within hours of landing. He was one of 157 people aboard 2 boats that reached Australian waters within 48 hours of each other.

Offshore immigration detention centre

5-May-13

2

Iranian adult males, Sajad and Meisan.

Drowned after making a makeshift raft and sailing it to seek help after asylum seeker boat was left without food, water and power. 46 other passengers stayed on board and were rescued after being located by Australian surveillance aircraft 110 nautical miles off Christmas Island.

1-May-13

1

Sri Lankan, male, 35 yrs old

Died shortly after arrival on Christmas Island from cardiac arrest.

Offshore immigration detention centre

20-Apr-13

1

Papua New Guinean, male, 33 years

The man from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre fell out of a window and died whilst in Liverpool hospital, Sydney where he was receiving medical treatment.

The woman and child drowned following interception by Australian Customs when their fishing boat capsized 15 nautical miles from Christmas Island. 95 people on board, 93 rescued. Australian Customs had been monitoring this boat for some time before interception.

Interdiction at sea by Australian border control

30-Jan-13

3

3 males

3 Burmese asylum seekers are missing at sea after one of their Indonesian crewmen ‘washed up’ on the shores of Christmas Island. The crewman claimed that after his boat broke down 17 nautical miles north of the Island, he made a make-shift raft to take the three Burmese men to Christmas Island. The
raft broke up during the journey and the men have not yet been found. The air search at sea has been suspended and the men are presumed drowned.

29-Jan-13

4

3 males and 1 female, Sri Lankan

Boat found crippled on a reef off Indonesia by local fishermen. Had allegedly been at sea for 2 months. 2 men drowned when they jumped overboard once Indonesian authorities had approached and one man is missing after also jumping overboard. 2 people, 1 man and 1 woman were found dead on board the boat.
22 rescued by Indonesian authorities and taken to immigration detention on Indonesia.

4-Jan-13

1

Anandakumar Sellakathirkgaman, male, Sri Lankan, 38 years old

Mr Sellakathirkgaman died at Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia, as a result of hypoxic brain injury and organ failure following compression of the neck (hanging) and death occurred by way of suicide. He was on a bridging visa at the time of his death, living with his brother in the community. The
WA Coroner has presented findings on this death, linking the impact of the Australian asylum process with Mr Sellakathirkgaman taking his own life.

15-Nov-12

1

Unknown Male, Hazara

Died enroute to Christmas Island onboard asylum boat. The man had died onboard the boat, most likely of natural causes. His death was discovered by Australian authorities who intercepted and boarded the boat north east of Christmas Island following calls from the boat that the man onboard was unwell.

Drowned enroute to Christmas Island when their asylum boat engine failed and the boat began to sink. Those on board were forced into the water. One survivor was picked up by an Indonesian fishing vessel and returned to Indonesia.

30-Aug-12

95

Unknown, males, females and children, 10 women and girls reported drowned including one 3-4 month old baby girl and Hameeda, 29 year old woman. All Hazara from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Boat capsized off Indonesian coast, bound for Christmas Island. 55 survivors pulled from the water between 24-48 hours following the capsize and returned to Indonesia. 1 deceased pulled from the water, 94 people still missing, feared drowned. 150 reported onboard.

The boat carrying 24 passengers is known to have left Indonesia bound for Christmas Island, however relatives in Australia of those on board have not heard of their arrival. The boat is missing at sea with those on board presumed drowned. This incident was not reported by the Australian media or government.

30-Jun-12

67

Unknown

Missing at sea presumed drowned. Boat lost at sea off Indonesian coast, bound for Australia. Australian media reported 67 on board but Australian Government has no evidence to confirm this.

Unknown, Afghan and Pakistani men and 9 unaccompanied boys including one 15 year old.

Boat carrying 200 asylum seekers capsized around 200km north of Christmas Island, en route to Australia from Indonesia, Afghan and Pakistani men and children on boat, 17 bodies recovered, 73, possibly more, still missing (presumed drowned), 110 rescued, including one 13 year old boy. Those rescued
taken to Christmas Island.

5-Jun-12

1

Sri Lankan

The Sri Lankan Irregular Maritime Arrival died in community detention in NSW.

The boat carrying 25 passengers is known to have left Indonesia on May 22, 2012 and has been missing at sea since. It is presumed all on board have drowned enroute to Christmas Island. The boat has not been found and relatives in Australia of those on board have not heard from them since the boat left
Indonesia.This incident was not reported in the Australian media or by the government.

27-Feb-12

1

Iranian

The Iranian national, who was detained in relation to visa compliance issues, died at Sydney Immigration Residential Housing.

Onshore immigration detention centre

27-Feb-12

1

Ali Rahimi, Iranian, male, 44

Died in hospital of heart attack, possibly caused by anxiety suffered after time in detention at Villawood and repeated rejection of asylum claim.

Onshore immigration detention centre

1-Feb-12

11

Afghan, Pakistani and Iraqi

The boat sank off the coast of Malaysia, enroute to Australia. Around 25 passengers on board, 18 rescued. 4 Pakistanis and 1 Afghan known to have drowned.

Boat feared lost at sea enroute from Indonesia. No direct confirmation of sinking, but relatives in Australia report no contact following embarkation on 13 November 2010.

20-Sep-10

1

Josefa Rauluni, Fijian, male, 36

Jumped off a roof at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney, hours before he was to be deported.

Onshore immigration detention centre

23-Aug-10

1

Unknown, Afghan, male, 30

Died Sir Charles Gardener Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, of a medical condition after being found unconscious at the Curtin Immigration Detention Centre.

Onshore immigration detention centre

7-Jun-10

12

Thileep Kumar and Bahirathan, both Sri Lankan, and ten Afghans, all male

Drowned off the coast of Indonesia while changing from a large boat to a smaller boat-second attempt for Sri Lankans after previous interception.

30-Apr-10

5

Unknown, Sri Lankan, males

Drowned after abandoning SIEV 143 refugee vessel to seek help. 59 rescued by Russian merchant vessel. Government had prior knowledge of vessel being in the vicinity of the Cocos Islands. The AFP will conduct an investigation into the missing 5 people.

7-Dec-09

1

David Moore, Scottish, male, 43

Died 2 days after arrival in London after being deported from Australia.

1-Nov-09

12

10 adult males, 2 juvenile males, nationalities not reported

SIEV 69 boat located in distress 350 nautical miles off Cocos (Keeling) Islands, intercepted by Australian Customs and Border Protection. 27 people rescued, 1 body recovered, 11 people lost at sea.

Died as a result of explosion on boat codenamed ‘SIEV 36’ during naval interception at Ashmore Reef.

Interdiction at sea by Australian border control

14-Jan-09

9

Afghans including 9-year old boy named Muneer Ahmad Iqbal and his father (adult male) Nawrooz Ali.

Boat capsized enroute to Australia in Rote Strait off Kupang, Indonesia. All onboard were Afghan citizens who had escaped from Kupang immigration detention centre. The Australian government has not confirmed these deaths.

unknown (reported 2008)

1

Mr Mack, male, 76

Died in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney, following surgery for a medical condition.

Onshore immigration detention centre

unknown (reported 2008)

1

Mr Cai, Chinese, male

Died in China after deportation from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney.

16-Jun-08

1

Mr Zhang, Chinese, male

Committed suicide after being deported to China, feared persecution and torture in China.

13-Jan-08

1

Mr Fashovar, Iranian, male, 62

Died of a medical condition in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney.

Onshore immigration detention centre

11-Sep-06

1

Wah Aun Chan, Malaysian, male, 27

Drowned in River Murray after running from police near Waikerie on the Sturt Highway, South Australia.

Death from drowning after escaping police custody

9-Sep-06

11

Unknown, Afghans, two females aged 6 and 9, and nine males

All eleven victims murdered in their homes in Afghanistan by locals calling them ‘spies’, after being deported as a group from Australia.

2006 (exact date unknown)

1

‘Reginald’, Sri Lankan, male

‘Reginald’ arrived in Australia in 1997 fleeing civil war in Sri Lanka where he was targetted for being the son of a police man. His application for refugee protection was refused and he was deported to Sri Lanka. In September 2006, following the outbreak of civil war, Reginald was kidnapped, tortured,
mutilated and thrown into a river in Colombo by militia.

20-Aug-05

1

Mrs Aziz Yaukob Agha, Syrian, female, 70

Died of medical condition at son’s home in Melbourne after refusal of visa extension and imminent deportation.

28-Apr-05

1

Mohammed Heri, Indonesian, male, 37

Detained illegal fisherman, died on his own boat “Gurung Mas Baru” in Darwin Harbour.

Onshore immigration detention

25-Mar-05

1

Unknown, male

Died in Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre, Melbourne.

Onshore immigration detention centre

29-Aug-04

1

Marc Lao Thao, French, male

Died in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney.

Onshore immigration detention centre

1-Jul-04

1

Seong Ho Kang, South Korean, male

Run over by a taxi in Strathfield, Sydney, after being pursued on foot by DIAC Law Enforcement Unit.

Death during pursuit by Department of Immigration Compliance Officers

19-Jun-03

1

Quoc Kinh Phung, Vietnamese, male

Died in Western General Hospital, Melbourne, after being transferred from Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre, Melbourne.

Onshore immigration detention centre

26-Feb-03

1

Mansur la Ibu, Indonesian, male, 20

Detained illegal fisherman, died on his own boat “Yamdena” in Darwin Harbour.

Onshore immigration detention

3-Feb-03

1

Dr Habuibullah Wahedy, Afghan, male, 46

Killed himself at Murray Bridge, South Australia, after the Immigration Department said his Temporary Protection Visa would soon expire and encouraged him to return to Afghanistan.

19-Jan-03

1

Fatima Irfani, Afghan, female, 29

Died in Sir Charles Gardener Hospital, Perth, of bleeding in her brain after transfer from Christmas Island.

Offshore immigration detention centre

1-Dec-02

1

Unknown, male, Afghan

Killed on return to Afghanistan from Australia under the Australian Government reintegration assistance package.

1-Nov-02

1

Nader, male, Iranian

Disappeared on return to Iran, presumed killed after a forced return from Australia.

00-Sept-02

1

Alvaro Morales, male, Colombian

Alvaro was gunned down in Bogota following deportation to Colombia from Australia after he was refused refugee status in 2001. He arrived in Australia seeking asylum to escape para-military violence in Colombia.

26-Aug-02

1

Mohammed Sarwar, male

Died in Nauru Detention Centre.

Offshore immigration detention centre

16-Mar-02

1

Alexander Nikolaevich Vasilkov, Russian, male, 44

Died in Fremantle Hospital Perth after being detained in port for illegal fishing.

Onshore immigration detention

13-Jan-02

1

Thi Hang Ley, Vietnamese, female

Killed herself after being detained in Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, Sydney, for overstaying visa. This was her 3rd suicide attempt.

Onshore immigration detention centre

2002 (exact date unknown)

1

Ahab Bilal, Pakistani, male

Ahab fled Pakistan in November 2000. His refugee application was refused by DIMIA and he was deported from Villawood IDC on 1 June 2002 to Pakistan. He was murdered within 2 months of his return.

2002 (exact date unknown)

1

Mohammed, Iranian, male

Mohammed is the brother of Ahmed (recorded below as ‘date unknown’) and was killed soon after his return to Iran following forcible removal from Perth IDC in May 2002.

2002 (exact date unknown)

1

Unknown, Pakistani

This persons death was recorded at the same time as Ahab’s (above) and was reported by church officials in Australia to the Edmund Rice Centre who recorded this death in their 2006 ‘Deported to Danger II’ publicaton.

Boat carrying 60-80 passengers believed to have sank after it left Java around the same time as the previous two entries above. We have recorded the median number of 70 deaths. It was not reported if/how many men, women or children were on board. Nationalities were also not reported. Although the Howard
Government claimed that this boat went missing with all on board presumed drowned, none of these deaths have been substantiated/confirmed by the government.

00-Mar-00

80

Unknown

80 persons estimated to be on board the boat believed to be heading to Ashmore Reef from Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia. It is reported that this boat left around the same time as the boat listed in the entry above and went missing at sea enroute to Australia with all on board presumed dead. It was
not reported if the passengers on board were men, women or children. Nationalities were also not reported. Although the Howard Government claimed that this boat went missing with all on board presumed drowned, none of these deaths have been substantiated/confirmed by the government.

25-Mar-00

220

Middle Eastern men, women and children reported to be on board.

220 passengers on board, believed heading to Christmas Island from the west coast of Java, Indonesia. The boat went missing at sea enroute and all passengers are believed to have drowned. All passengers on board were believed to be from the Middle East. It is known that the boat was carrying men, women
and children although a breakdown of these numbers is no known. Although the Howard Government claimed that this boat went missing with all on board presumed drowned, none of these deaths have been substantiated/confirmed by the government.

Date unknown

1

Mohammed Moussa Nazaree, Hazara, male

Mohammed died on return to Afghanistan from Nauru immigration detention centre. The date of his death is unknown.

Date unknown

1

Yacoub Baklari, Hazara, male

Yacoub died on return to Afghanistan from Nauru immigration detention centre. The date of his death is unknown.

Date unknown

7

unknown, Hazara

Deaths of seven Hazara on return to Afghanistan reported by ERC in ‘Deported to Danger II’ following removal from Nauru immigration detention centre.

Date unknown

1

Sri Lankan

Details of death unknown other than the person died following deportation from Australia to Sri Lanka. Reported by Edmund Rice Centre in their 2006 ‘Deported to Danger II’ publication.